Where can I buy a jump ramp?
Where can I buy a jump ramp?
Author
Discussion

Kermit power

Original Poster:

29,622 posts

242 months

Saturday 22nd August 2015
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Afternoon all,

I watched a guy doing some skills training for kids a couple of weeks ago. One of the aids he had was a rubber coated ramp for them to practice jumping technique.

Thinking that I fancy developing my jumping technique (from a very basic starting point!), I thought it would be useful to get one, so that I can practice locally, rather than having to drive to the trails.

Problem is, I'm struggling to find any. I've found skate ramps, but they seem to have a weight limit of around 90kg, and I'm more than that before I factor in the bike!

Does anyone know where I could find one? I've only got my phone to Google on holiday, which isn't helping, and all I'm finding is videos of people jumping or instructions on how to build your own, which generally start out with "if you don't have access to a mini digger, grab a spade"!

MysteryLemon

4,968 posts

220 months

Sunday 23rd August 2015
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You could make one?

I made a few as a kid when I was into BMX in the garage at home. Few sheets of thick ply for the sides (used a jigsaw to cut the ramp profile), a lots of 1x2s to join each side (beams every 2 inches or so following the curve of the ramp, then some thinner ply for the decking layed and curved over the beams.

For such simple design and construction, they help up to much abuse from myself and my group of friends that used them on a daily basis. And if I managed to make them myself at the age of about 10, I'm sure you could too smile

Watchman

6,391 posts

274 months

Monday 24th August 2015
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I thought this would be a "PoP" Google search but there appears to be a hole in the market here and I wish I had the facilities to fill it. There are some plastic-looking ramps available but I doubt they'd take the weight of a 100Kg adult on an MTB to be honest. And they look way too low to get any proper "air".

Making your own might be the only answer. I made some when I was a kid. Great fun at the time but I clearly favoured nailing as much wood from my Dad's garage to it as possible rather than any structural calculations.

I'm on the bike. Wish I was still that thin.


Fluffsri

3,410 posts

225 months

Tuesday 25th August 2015
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4 x breeze blocks and an old scaffold plank!

Kell

1,708 posts

237 months

Tuesday 25th August 2015
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JEA1K

2,747 posts

252 months

Tuesday 25th August 2015
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Kermit power said:
I've found skate ramps, but they seem to have a weight limit of around 90kg, and I'm more than that before I factor in the bike!!
Please keep us updated of your learning curve, ideally with GoPro footage and Xrays from A&E ... you're only going one way with this.silly

blinkythefish

972 posts

286 months

Tuesday 25th August 2015
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We used to build whole assualt courses in the style of "kickstart"(but for push bike rather than motor), including see-saws, balance bars and jumps. Was great fun s a kid, doubt I could do it now.

Kermit power

Original Poster:

29,622 posts

242 months

Wednesday 26th August 2015
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JEA1K said:
Kermit power said:
I've found skate ramps, but they seem to have a weight limit of around 90kg, and I'm more than that before I factor in the bike!!
Please keep us updated of your learning curve, ideally with GoPro footage and Xrays from A&E ... you're only going one way with this.silly
biggrin

Just to be clear though, I'm only looking to get up to the point where I can consistently and comfortably jump smallish things on trails. I've no plans to enter the Rampage as a novice at the age of 45! hehe

Kermit power

Original Poster:

29,622 posts

242 months

Wednesday 26th August 2015
quotequote all
Watchman said:
I thought this would be a "PoP" Google search but there appears to be a hole in the market here and I wish I had the facilities to fill it. There are some plastic-looking ramps available but I doubt they'd take the weight of a 100Kg adult on an MTB to be honest. And they look way too low to get any proper "air".
Glad it wasn't just me on the phone and Cornish "broad"band who is struggling! hehe

One thing I have discovered, however, is that you can get silly amounts of air off those very short ramps with the right technique - it's just a case of finding a strong enough short ramp! I'm toying with the idea of getting one of those and reinforcing it with a wooden or metal frame underneath...

JEA1K

2,747 posts

252 months

Wednesday 26th August 2015
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Kermit power said:
biggrin

Just to be clear though, I'm only looking to get up to the point where I can consistently and comfortably jump smallish things on trails. I've no plans to enter the Rampage as a novice at the age of 45! hehe
laugh I'm glad to hear it!;)

The_Jackal

4,854 posts

226 months

Wednesday 26th August 2015
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All the vids I have seen, seem to say that the skill in getting air is learning to bunny hop, which you can do without a ramp.

TheBaj

183 posts

206 months

Wednesday 26th August 2015
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I remember seeing a video a few months back of a portable ramp, a quick search through my history leads to the Jumpack.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6G7JXUw9oE

was8v

2,013 posts

224 months

Wednesday 26th August 2015
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Watchman said:
"watch this grandma"

Is that an XR3i?

80's suburban bliss.

Watchman

6,391 posts

274 months

Wednesday 26th August 2015
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was8v said:
Watchman said:
"watch this grandma"

Is that an XR3i?

80's suburban bliss.
That was the mother of one of our neighbours (he eventually ended up being my boss for a few y ears) but I think it was an XR3, yes. Would have been 1981/1982 I guess. It was a great time. I was building up a Skyway TA from parts I bought as I could afford them (school holiday job) listening to Depeche Mode on my Amstrad stereo. Don't think I'd ever been happier until my kids were born.

deadtom

2,769 posts

194 months

Saturday 29th August 2015
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The only ones I can think of are plastic ones like the rampage mini ramp. We used to build our own using the plywood and cross-member method stated earlier, really easy to build and worked very well.

Craikeybaby

12,084 posts

254 months

Tuesday 1st September 2015
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What about digging/shaping one on a local trail?

raceboy

13,890 posts

309 months

Tuesday 1st September 2015
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There's 'things' to get air off on EVERY ride within 100 yards of where ever you live. wink
Every drop curb is a jump, every tree root, grass verges, the list is endless, and as someone mentioned earlier the key to 'more air' is having a good 'bunny hop' technique to start with which doesn't really need any kicker.